Dr. Jeans Bio
Aurélie Jean has more than 10 years of experience in computational sciences in the United- States and in France. Aurélie has been using applied mathematics and computer programming in various disciplines such as engineering, medicine, education, economy, finance, art or journalism. Aurélie worked in wonderful organizations such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Bloomberg. Aurélie envisions computer science and coding as mean to empower women. As a Role Model, she inspires and supports women to follow her vision. In addition, Aurélie wants everyone to become power-users of the new technologies, by better understanding and capturing the underlying technology mechanisms. Aurélie believes in education and continuous learning in technology and sciences, to decrease significantly biases in algorithms by involving everyone into this ecosystem.
WITH GROUPS CREATING PROGRAMS TO ENCOURAGE FEMALES TO CONSIDER STEM, WHAT IS THE BIGGEST BARRIER TO ENTRY THAT IS STILL PREVALENT TODAY?
The barriers have several origins. One is the view of society towards women in STEM. Even though in 2018 everybody agrees that women should not have any limit in what they want to achieve, we still need to work on our perception. Most of people are still surprised when I tell them what I do.. (laugh...). Another barrier comes from our education, we should encourage in the same way both, girls and boys to succeed in STEM from elementary school to college. Finally a barrier that we do not mention enough is the one from ourselves. We tend to underestimate what we can accomplish. Empowerment is the key!
WHAT OR WHO INSPIRES YOU?
I am very much inspired by my own female and male Role Models and mentors who give me courage and energy to accomplish more every day. Among all those amazing people there are Dr. Tara Swart (neuro-scientist and entrepreneur), Sandrine Vohra (entrepreneur, co-founder of Mikado Marketing), Maud Bailly (CDO of AccorHotels), Kevin Pemberton (entrepreneur), Sébastien Le Fol (chief editor of the magazine Le Point), Emmanuel Schanzer (entrepreneur, founder of Bootstrap), Peter Hirst (Director of Executive Education at the Sloan at MIT), … On a daily basis, I am also very much inspired by all actions that people do all over the world that helps, step by step, empower girls and women.
WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT/ACCOMPLISHMENT?
That could sound naive but I am very much proud every time I receive a message from someone from anywhere in the world, in which he/she writes that I helped him/her succeed in STEM through my actions. That means a lot to me, it means that my actions work, and I should keep working hard on inspiring and encouraging people to pursue in STEM. More diverse the STEM ecosystem will be, less biases in algorithms will be, and more inclusive the tech society will be!
CONNECT WITH DR. JEAN
